Top East Bay Wi-Fi Spots

October 17, 2013 7:51 PM

Photo: Oakland History Room/Online Archive of California/Courtesy

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Want something completely different? Get up, get out and head over the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond. Set up your laptop in the dark, cozy bar and file those TPS reports with one hand and sip an Old Fashioned with the other.
Details: 10 Cottage Avenue, Richmond. Friday hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. less

Want something completely different? Get up, get out and head over the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond. Set up your laptop in the dark, cozy bar and file those TPS reports with one hand and sip an Old Fashioned ... more

Photo: Hardy Wilson, The Chronicle

Want something completely different? Get up, get out and head over... Photo-5335106.72295 - NewsTimes

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If you're someone that likes to take a lot of breaks during the day, try grabbing a spot at the Oakland Public Library. When you're ready for a break, head up to the Oakland History Room and paw through all their old photos, like this one of a 1910 Fruitvale Avenue street party.
Details: 125 14th Street, Oakland. Hours: Noon to 5:30 p.m. less

If you're someone that likes to take a lot of breaks during the day, try grabbing a spot at the Oakland Public Library. When you're ready for a break, head up to the Oakland History Room and paw through all ... more

Photo: Oakland History Room/Online Archive Of California, Courtesy

If you're someone that likes to take a lot of breaks during... Photo-5335119.72295 - NewsTimes

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Spend part of the morning with a mimosa or two at the Paragon Restaurant and Bar. Peer over your drink (and your laptop) at all those poor souls still trapped in the Bay Bridge traffic.
Details: 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. less

Spend part of the morning with a mimosa or two at the Paragon Restaurant and Bar. Peer over your drink (and your laptop) at all those poor souls still trapped in the Bay Bridge traffic.
Details: 41 Tunnel ... more

Photo: Mike Kepka, SFC

Spend part of the morning with a mimosa or two at the Paragon... Photo-5335120.72295 - NewsTimes

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Not a mimosa person? Go to Awaken Cafe in downtown Oakland. One of the leaders of Oakland's renaissance, the cafe is home to starving artists, city leaders and even the occasional anarchist.
And don't forget to walk over to 14th and Broadway and see all those poor people waiting in the long AC Transit lines.
Details: 1429 Broadway, Oakland. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to midnight less

Not a mimosa person? Go to Awaken Cafe in downtown Oakland. One of the leaders of Oakland's renaissance, the cafe is home to starving artists, city leaders and even the occasional anarchist.
And don't forget ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Not a mimosa person? Go to Awaken Cafe in downtown Oakland. One of... Photo-5335121.72295 - NewsTimes

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This one isn't strictly free, but Berkeley communal work space NextSpace is offering a BART strike deal. For just $10 you get all-day access to their hip work space and all the Wi-Fi you can use.
Details: 2081 Center Street, Berkeley. Friday hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. less

This one isn't strictly free, but Berkeley communal work space NextSpace is offering a BART strike deal. For just $10 you get all-day access to their hip work space and all the Wi-Fi you can use.
Details: ... more

Photo: Nathan Phillips Photography, Courtesy

This one isn't strictly free, but Berkeley communal work space... Photo-5335122.72295 - NewsTimes

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Don't miss the shiny new library in Walnut Creek. Opened in 2010, the library has plenty of open tables and even meeting rooms you can reserve. And as one Yelp reviewer said: "Hallelujah, I have seen the light! How often I forget that there are places I can go to work for 10 hours straight without having to buy a coffee or deal with blaring indie rock in the background."
Details: 1644 N Broadway, Walnut Creek. Friday hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. less

Don't miss the shiny new library in Walnut Creek. Opened in 2010, the library has plenty of open tables and even meeting rooms you can reserve. And as one Yelp reviewer said: "Hallelujah, I have seen the light! ... more

Want to ponder the intellectual idea of crossing the Bay? Spend your "work day" at the Oakland Museum of California which has free Wi-Fi and tons of great exhibits. Don't miss this image from a collection of Peter Stackpole's Bay Bridge construction pictures.
Details: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. less

Want to ponder the intellectual idea of crossing the Bay? Spend your "work day" at the Oakland Museum of California which has free Wi-Fi and tons of great exhibits. Don't miss this image from a collection of ... more

Alternate coffee with beer at CommonWealth Cafe and Public House in Oakland. Open your laptop at one of their large tables and have at it.
Details: 2882 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. Friday hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. less

Alternate coffee with beer at CommonWealth Cafe and Public House in Oakland. Open your laptop at one of their large tables and have at it.
Details: 2882 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. Friday hours: 10 a.m. to 11 ... more

Photo: Valerie Cochran , Courtesy

Alternate coffee with beer at CommonWealth Cafe and Public House in... Photo-5335125.72295 - NewsTimes

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If you want to feel like you're in college again, don't miss La Strada next to UC Berkeley. With plenty of outdoor seating, delicious pastries and free Wi-Fi, you can easily spend the entire day here.
Details: 2300 College Avenue, Berkeley. Hours: 6 a.m. to midnight less

If you want to feel like you're in college again, don't miss La Strada next to UC Berkeley. With plenty of outdoor seating, delicious pastries and free Wi-Fi, you can easily spend the entire day here.
Details: ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia, Chronicle

If you want to feel like you're in college again, don't... Photo-5335126.72295 - NewsTimes

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Use this as your 4 p.m. "work" spot. Best known for its waterfront views of San Francisco Bay, Skates also has good drinks, food and free Wi-Fi (well you have to buy a drink. Or two.)
Details: 100 Seawall Drive, Berkeley. Friday hours: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. less

Use this as your 4 p.m. "work" spot. Best known for its waterfront views of San Francisco Bay, Skates also has good drinks, food and free Wi-Fi (well you have to buy a drink. Or two.)
Details: 100 Seawall ... more

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Use this as your 4 p.m. "work" spot. Best known for its... Photo-5335127.72295 - NewsTimes